10 Seasonal Jobs For the Holidays

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Can you believe the year is already winding down? The holiday season brings more than festive lights and family dinners. It also opens the door to smart, short‑term work opportunities that can boost your income before year‑end.

Whether you’re looking to make extra cash for the holidays, pad your savings, or just try something new, these seasonal gigs can be surprisingly flexible and rewarding.

In this article, I’ll share ten real-world holiday‑season job ideas (I’ve done a couple of them myself) and tips for how to find them, apply fast, and maximize your earnings.

10 Seasonal Jobs For The Holidays

1. The Mall

The first place on the list is the Mall. They always hire additional people during the holiday season. Most malls have at least twenty stores. You should visit one and browse the stores. Write a list of the ones that you are interested in working at. Then check whether they are hiring. It is best to do this before mid-October.

2. UPS/FedEx

People ship a lot of packages during the holiday season. The volumes increase so much that companies like UPS or FedEx bring seasonal workers. They bring on people to help sort packages and driver helpers. I’ve had friends who worked for UPS during the Christmas season. They told me the job was pretty easy. They worked only 4-5 hours per day and were paid weekly.

3. Seasonal Actors

Another excellent seasonal job is acting as Santa or his entourage. This job has been a primary part of malls and department stores for several years, usually from Thanksgiving to Christmas. However, Christmas actors are not the only ones required seasonally. If you look around early enough, some extra opportunities at the amusement park will be available.

All you need for this task are acting, communication, and customer service skills.

4. Outlet Stores

The following seasonal job on the list is in outlet stores. Outlet Stores are similar to malls. They get increased traffic during this time of the year as well. Most stores have several positions, including stock and sales associates, open during this time of year. If there are some outlet stores near you, check them out. Tanger is one outlet store brand you can check out.

5. Department Stores

Walmart, Kohl’s, and Target are hiring at their stores during the holiday season. These stores get a lot of traffic during the year anyway. During the holiday season, it increases even more. Department stores also expand their hours. For example, if a store closes at 9 pm, it may stay open until 11 pm.

Working in the retail industry may also allow you to earn some overtime during this period. The application process is pretty easy, so this is one seasonal part-time job that I’d apply to sooner rather than later.

6. Honey Baked Ham

Honey Baked Ham is the sixth seasonal job on the list. There are many dinner parties during the holiday season. Not everyone likes cooking for parties, so they get food from a store like Honey Baked Ham. Because it gets so busy, Honey Baked Ham hires additional staff. It would probably be a good job that allows you to make a decent amount of money during the holiday season.

7. Snow Removal Drivers/Workers

Although we may still be in autumn now, winter is coming. Several private snow removal companies in different cities and towns are now looking ahead to the snowy season. Therefore, they are hiring part-time and seasonal help to prepare for winter storms. That might not be an option for you if you live in a place like Florida, but if you live in areas that experience a significant amount of snow and ice, it can be a good choice.

Note that you will need a valid driver’s license and must be able to operate heavy-duty equipment, such as snow plows, sanders, and other snow removal tools. This could be an excellent temporary job if you have access to these items.

8. Christmas Tree Workers

The holiday season implies an increase in the sale of Christmas trees, either by dedicated tree garden centers or other big stores that sell trees. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, these employees help them meet the influx of customer demand, sell and prepare trees for travel homes, and restock other seasonal plants.

To carry out this task effectively, you will need the ability to carry heavy objects, work outdoors in diverse conditions, and stand for a long shift.

9. Seasonal Photographers

With winter coming, every Santa and his entourage come with a vital seasonal role, the photographer. Individual malls and event venues hire photographers each year to capture the holiday’s festivities and merriment for posterity. Seasonal photographers and assistants carry out the tasks of taking photos, taking orders, and editing photographs.

To take on this job effectively, you will need portrait photography and organizational skills (you don’t want to send pictures of one client to another by mistake). You also need impeccable photo editing, problem-solving, and customer service skills because handling many people waiting for Santa can be problematic. If possible, you can have a knack for helping toddlers smile while taking photographs.

10. Tax Associate

People do not think about the looming tax season when they are in holiday mode. But, right after the New Year, and everything goes back to normal, seasonal tax associates’ demand rises exponentially. Tax preparation companies hire temporary employees to handle demand from January through April. With a strong background in financial mathematics and a familiarity with the tax system, this can be a lucrative opportunity for you post-holiday.

All you need is strong mathematics and accounting skills, and an understanding of tax preparation software with a bachelor’s degree in related fields. If you are searching for a seasonal gig, several other alternatives tally with your skillset and interests.

There are plenty of places where you can find seasonal jobs during the holidays. You should check out the ten above if you are looking. Just remember that with seasonal employment, you may be working on Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve. If you are not prepared to do that, you should not apply.